Antignani reached out to the Newtown Police Department and asked how she could assist the Sandy Hook responders who were facing financial difficulties. After determining that grocery store cards were the best way to help the officers purchase necessities and put food on the table, Antignani launched the Adopt A Sandy Hook/Newtown Cop program.
Antignani’s yoga students told their friends and families about the Adopt-A-Cop program, and a post on Facebook caught the attention of a reporter. The Connecticut Post ran a story that was picked up by Yahoo News. “Once Yahoo News did an article, I started hearing from all over the country, even from people in Mexico,” Antignani says.
She has since been contacted by yoga teachers from around the U.S. who have volunteered to use their classes to raise funds for the project. Several who specialize in yoga for post-traumatic stress disorder have asked Antignani if they could offer classes or healing sessions for the officers most affected by the tragedy. (Similarly, yoga has helped military veterans cope with PTSD.)
Three weeks ago, many of us in the yoga community felt as helpless as Linda Antignani did when 20 children and 6 staff members were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary. Today she says, “I feel as if I am giving direct help to those who were on the front line.” Antignani’s efforts are a reminder that each of us has the power to be a force for good. If you wish to make a donation to Adopt-A-Sandy Hook/Newtown Cop, you can use the Pay Pal link on the fund’s web page. Cash donations will be converted to grocery store cards. To leave a message of support or gratitude to those who were first on the scene that awful day, visit the program’s Facebook page.
